Defence
allocations to the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence total EUR 425
m, or 1.11 pct of GDP, in the 2015 State and Municipal Budget of Lithuania
approved by the Lithuanian Seimas, which is by 32 pct more funds for defence
than in 2014. Moreover, the Defense Minister has also announced the enhancement
its defence capacity and replenishment of ammunition reserve of the Lithuanian
Armed Forces. |
The
Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence has projected to reach the 2 pct
of GDP defence budget to meet NATO requirements by 2020.
Moreover,
the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence has signed contracts on ammunition
procurement for nearly LTL 50 m to date. The bulk of the acquisition is
made up by ammunition for the G36 assault rifle, 120 mm mortar, and the
Carl-Gustaf antitank recoilless rifle.
“One of our current priorities is a well-trained and well-equipped
soldier. Therefore replenishment of our munitions reserve will serve for
ensuring quality training of military personnel and their appropriate
preparation for fulfilling their duties,” Minister of National
Defence Juozas Olekas said.
The third shipment this year of 5,56x45 mm G36 assault rifle ammunition
manufactured by a Lithuanian company Giraites Ginkluotes Gamykla arrived
at the Arsenal of the Depot Storage Service in Linkaiciai in late November.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces has planned acquiring ammunition for other
main rifleman’s weaponry, general purpose machine gun and marksman’s
rifle, from this manufacturer in the future too.
The ammunition for the heavy 120 mm mortars used in the Lithuanian Armed
Forces is expected to reach its storehouses by the end of next year.
Ammunition for the Carl-Gustaf recoilless antitank rifle is bought for
the Lithuanian Armed Forces together with Latvia and Estonia through the
European Defence Agency by a contract with the total value of roughly
EUR 50 m signed in 2013 and to be implemented in 2015-2017.
The procurements are made from the programmed funds and from the LTL 130
m allocated additionally for defence purposes this year. LTL 25 m have
been allocated for replenishing ammunition reserves of the Lithuanian
Armed Forces.
The majority of the contracts are long term with a duration of up to three
years. The contracts will be implemented gradually to meet the terms agreed
on. |